Since the announcement of the new National Rugby Championship, rugby posts on The Roar have been more like reading the Financial Times or Forbes magazine, with each group presenting different business proposition to stop the downward trend many supporters feel the game is locked in.
It’s no secret rugby supporters have their minds on money and money on their minds.
Much of this is due to both the precarious nature of rugby’s finances and major expectations on what a new comp will be and what it will do for the game.
There is major debate about how this comp will work, in particular between tradition and financial viability.
Some feel the NRC could risk destroying tradition and create ‘plastic franchises’, alienating any real grassroots community involvement.
Others don’t care as long as the model is financially viable; the benefits must be high and the costs low.
Neither group is wrong.
Many of Australia’s 15-a-side rugby clubs have some of the longest, proudest histories around. For example Brisbane’s GPS club was founded in 1887 and Sydney’s Uni Club 1863.
Many of these clubs live off the smell of an oily rag, are antiquated, family oriented, live off the passion of local volunteers and this breeds a unique culture but one that can clash with commercialisation.
It’s also a no-brainer rugby needs money and ‘tradition has to start somewhere’.
This ‘irresistible force meets an immovable object’ situation puts the NRC in a precarious situation of having to be the great saviour, as it has to be ‘all things to all men’.
People disagree on what teams should be involved, whether they should be privately run, whether the ‘big money’ clubs should be allowed in.
It has to be for development, it must have mass appeal.
Some have written it all off before it has even had a chance.
Meanwhile, cricket is going gangbusters.
Sports fans generally have short memories but prior to this year’s ashes and the BBL revolution, many people saw cricket as having many of the same problems and issues as rugby.
Cricket was looking a little haggard, riding a declining trend, with the national team in free-fall.
There was a real possibility of cricket falling down Australia’s perceived sporting pecking order.
Facing issues with how to revitalise interest in domestic competition, a national team on the nose and, as always, there were issues with Test cricket’s mass marketability versus its tradition.
Twenty 20 cricket in its pre-history was looked at with derision as ‘hit and giggle’ and many felt threatened the affect it could have on the fabric and structure of the beloved game.
Cricket in one super season has shown tradition and mass marketing commercialism can coexist as a strong one-two combination.
But as George Costanza would say, “you’ve gotta keep your worlds apart!”
Rugby parallels cricket quite remarkably.
15-a-side rugby, like Test cricket is built on strong, tradition, history and culture. You will find many articles written by purists of both these games speaking of them a la a symphony.
Games full of complexity and tactics that demand patience, savvy. They are full of ebb and flow, peak and valley; they are not always pretty, nor are they suited to the tiny attention span of the casual viewer.
Would Australians ever go for rugby sevens?
Rugby sevens is one of the fastest growing team sports on earth; it has seen a meteoric rise on a global scale, breaking into markets 15-a-side could only dream about.
It is a game where Kenya, Portugal and Spain could on their day beat New Zealand, England and Australia and it plays a large, lucrative World Series in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Scotland, England, Japan, Hong Kong, UAE and Las Vegas.
I took my family earlier this year to the Gold Coast Sevens finals and it was one of the best days of rugby – nay, entertainment – I had been too in a long time.
It was great bang for my buck, a lively carnival/party atmosphere. The crowd are part of the entertainment with things like ‘kiss cam’ and ‘dance cam’ and we laughed until breathless at the costumes and antics of drunken rugby fans.
The action on the field too was nail-biting; games were close, full of running rugby at its purist (running rugby in Australia, that won’t work).
The Australia versus South Africa semi-final saw Australia force a long, back-and-forth, nail-biting, extra-time contest before a classic come from behind clinching Aussie try.
The final, Australia versus New Zealand, had a pulsating atmosphere as the home boys went down valiantly.
Honestly, I thought if the ARU can’t sell this, well then it’s time to pull the plug, sell the farm and move to New Zealand.
For whatever reason, sevens seems to have been neglected in Australia and resources have been directed at trying to bash the game’s head against a 15-a-side brick wall.
But cricket has now kicked down the door and set a clear template. League too, embarrassingly, is beating rugby to the punch by jumping on the lucrative bandwagon with their nines tournament.
It’s time to face facts, to a large portion of the Australian public rugby 15-a-side is ‘yawnion’, dominated by piggies, complicated rucks, kicking, old boys and stuffy exclusive private school toffs and no matter how brilliant or eloquent your line of reasoning may be, you will never get through and convince people otherwise.
The beauty of T20 is it is unencumbered by tradition; it can throw off any prehistoric shackles. With no legacy to stick too, it is free to be innovative, given license to take itself less seriously and just simply entertain.
With rugby sevens you get pretty much the same thing. It can throw off the yawnion shackles with its short, quick, rapid-fire, eminently marketable action.
While five day Tests and T20 are starting to build a bit of integration and harmony, rugby sevens and 15-a-side seem to be going in severely divergent trajectories.
Once upon a time 15-a-side players such as Tim Horan, David Campese and Jonah Lomu mixed it up in seven-a-side with great success but now they say the games are too physically different for this to occur. That is crap.
If you were to scan through the extensive playing rosters of the Super Rugby you can’t tell me there are none fleet of foot and with the capacity to train and play sevens.
So as Bill Pulver puts down the balance sheet he has been puzzlingly staring at and accidentally clicks on to the BBL he most likely thinks:
“Damn I’m stressed about the new NRC and its success, how we are going to fund it into the future? I wish we had a popular smaller version of the game like this in which we could use as a cash cow in a similar fashion.
“I know! We just need lots of entertaining running rugby without costing us victory, the Wallabies to win the Bledisloe cup, the Waratahs to revitalise and win the Super Rugby, the Rebels to make the finals and gain support of disgruntled AFL supporters, the players to put the national jersey above earning three times their value and we need the ancient prophecies to come true.
“If none of that happens, we can play a hybrid game with a rugby team that no longer exists!”
(Small disclaimer: Pulver is actually a big believer in sevens).
Rugby sevens unleashes a whole raft of possibilities for the code.
Legitimate cross code games with a reduced possibility of well… death, reduced costs for playing rosters, private ownership franchises, attracting foreign interest, breaking eligibility issues, grabbing fair weather fans and pushing up the market value of rugby for free-to-air television.
Furthermore it could integrate some of the unknown sevens players with some of the Wallabies stars.
There has been a lot of talk about some the games big stars possibly being on the biggest stage of them all the huge 2015 Olympics, but sevens coaches have said they want a staunch commitment.
If there was a big, televised, Australian BBL-style sevens competition some of the big boys could legitimately test their mettle.
The beauty of this comp is, unlike the NRC which is near impossible to get right, a sevens BBL is hard to get wrong.
The ARU could test the water for the NRC teams, they could chuck in Super teams – it doesn’t really matter, as long as the money is there.
In BBL style, they could cry havoc and let slip the marketers of war.
Sevens has developed followings in non-rugby strongholds: Adelaide had a major taste for sevens during the World Series and Darwin apparently has “the richest rugby sevens tournament in the Southern Hemisphere” with the “Hottest sevens in the world”.
It’s not a huge stretch to see sevens attracting more youth interest due to parents being put off by the dangerous nature of 15-a-side rugby, growing interest with the fringes of both league and AFL fans and players alike.
The ARU needs to act before sevens become less an asset and more a divergent, serious rival.
The money gained from a domestic sevens could be pumped into grassroots rugby, the NRC and help Pulver to stop checking his horoscope and staring at the ARU balance sheet and praying to the gods of rugby for the planets to align.
I’m sure I must be missing something and others have written similar articles.
Are there contract issues? IRB issues? Crowded schedules? Lack of public interest? Damage to 15-a-side?
I am interested to hear Roarers’ opinions.
Rugby stu
Roar Pro
Absolutely, great point. It's easy too forget how daunting it can be for an outsider who is looking in to get involved.
chris wilkins
Roar Rookie
Take some of the negativity out of the 15's commentary might allow new and old fans to enjoy the game. The constant calls of cheating etc in the commentary by Phil Kearns does nothing for peoples enjoyment of the game. BBL has enjoyed a great season from informed and positive commentary.
In Brief
Guest
From memory around 25% of rugby participation occurred outside of NSW/ QLD and ACT which is also encouraging.
In Brief
Guest
If I lived close enough I would attend, regardless of Australia's involvement. I am far more interested/ excited by watching developing nations such as Kenya play rugby 7s than by watching Australia play.
In Brief
Guest
Part of the great 'rugby league nursery'. Can't wait to hear how only rugby league can produce such supreme athletes.
Working Class Rugger
Roar Guru
There was only a modest increase in the crowd size this season. Little over 2% which actually caught the organisers by surprise as the scheduling of this year's event conflicted with a lot of fans schedules and the ability of clubs participating in the Invitational that is run alongside the IRB event. They were banking on a fall by around 10%. What is really pleasing is the the 35% jump in those who tuned in to a 1.0 share. This translates into roughly 1.158 million households plus a whole heap of other demographic break downs.
Little Brooklyn
Guest
Thunderguts And as was stated in my original piece: "For the first time, the Australian Rugby Annual Participation Census was undertaken by independent demographers Street Ryan and Associates' bringing "Australian Rugby in line with other major Australian sports."
Little Brooklyn
Guest
Thunderguts From ARU website posted 23 January 2014 'Additional background information about the Australian Rugby Annual Participation Census: Rugby Participants are defined as: Competition and Non-Competition Participant – playing Rugby/participating in an organised competition/tournament/structured program at least five times over the census year. Promotional or Occasional Participant – playing Rugby/participating in a competition/tournament/program less than five times over the census year. Census year is 1 October 2012 to September 30 2013. Participation data published by Australian Rugby Union in 2012 and the data from this year’s census is not directly comparable due to changes made to the way participants are defined and classified for the 2013 census. Any comparisons referenced in this document have been established by retrospectively applying the new 2013 Participation Census definitions and classification methodology to data collated in 2012. '
atlas
Guest
Las Vegas Sevens results SA winners, beating NZ in final 14-17 and now have series lead: SA 78, NZ 77, Fiji 56, Eng 53, Samoa 47, Aust 46, Arg 43, Kenya 39, France 33, Wales 32. England beat Australia 26-24 in the consolation Plate final and place fifth. Fiji finished ninth beating Kenya 35-0 in the Bowl final USA beat Spain 31-0 to win the Shield and finish 13th. Best result? Has to be Canada finishing third overall, defeating Samoa 22-19. And it had tv coverage: NBC Sports Group and Universal Sports Network will deliver more than 15 hours of the 2014 USA Sevens International Rugby Tournament from Las Vegas, Nev. Coverage from Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. ET on Universal Sports, and will continue through the weekend on NBC, NBCSN and Universal Sports. The broadcast presentation of the Las Vegas tournament will feature exclusive live coverage of full matches, as well as highlights from the three-day event.
Thunderguts
Guest
Lets not downgrade the game of 7,s to a halftime show --leave that to the cheerleaders etc. 7,s is a serious game which deserves recognition as a major code. The nines is not Rugby it is a Rugby League show which is trying to copy 7,s but because only a handful of countries play league it will have very limited success.
Thunderguts
Guest
How was this "census" carried out and how does it compare with previous years??
Little Brooklyn
Guest
An article on the ARU website dated 23 January 2014 highlights the impact of Sevens on participation rates in Australia: 'More people participated in Rugby across Australia in the past year than ever before, with 615,809 participants in 2013 compared to the previous year (an increase of 27.5%), with participation in Rugby Sevens a major factor in the increase in participation numbers. Figures from the Australian Rugby Annual Participation Census show participation in Rugby Sevens grew more than 40% in the past year, equating to an additional 15,864 participants taking part in the faster and lower contact version of Rugby in 2013 compared to 2012. Australian Rugby Union CEO Bill Pulver said increasing participation at all levels of Rugby and creating an inclusive Australian Rugby community is critical to the game’s long-term success. “Growing Rugby, particularly in new markets using the exciting Sevens format of our game is critical to the long-term sustainability of Rugby as we strive to ignite passion in the next generation of players and fans,” Mr Pulver said. Australian Rugby Union General Manager Rugby Participation, Andrew Larratt, said there was an increase of nearly 40% in the number of participants experiencing Rugby through promotional and occasional participation – to make up around a third of overall participants. “We know if kids are exposed to Rugby at a young age, they will become fans of our sport and will have an opportunity to learn the values of Rugby – passion, integrity, discipline, respect and teamwork,” Mr Larratt said. “Our challenge now is to ensure Rugby remains appealing to kids who are considering what sport to pursue in a more formal sense and engage them in ongoing structured Rugby programs. We live in a competitive sporting market and our focus is on ensuring participating in Rugby is fun, reflects our values and provides an inclusive environment for girls, women, Indigenous people, players of all abilities and multicultural groups.” For the first time, the Australian Rugby Annual Participation Census was undertaken by independent demographers Street Ryan and Associates. “The 2013 census data brings Australian Rugby in line with the standards used by other major Australian sports. The new census process allows Australian Rugby to identify and categorise participants according to how they participate in Rugby – making it easier to provide services that are appropriate to the different participation segments,” said Wayne Street, Executive Chairman Street Ryan and Associates. Findings from the census include: 615,809 people participated in Rugby nationally in 2013 compared to 2012, an increase of 27.5% or 132,256 participants. 15,864 more people participated in Rugby Sevens in 2013 compared to 2012, an increase of 40.7%, bringing the total number of participants in Rugby Sevens nationally to a record 54,687. 230,662 participants took part in competition or structured Rugby programs. 39.7% increase in the number of promotional and occasional participants. Club Rugby recorded an increase of 4% with 123,445 people now participating in 15-a-side and Sevens club competitions nationally. Queensland leads the country with the total number of overall participants, with 259,690 participants in 2013, representing a 37% increase. New South Wales has the highest number of people participating in competition/structured Rugby programs, with 104,784 participants, representing an increase of 3.2%. ACT and Southern NSW recorded an increase of 89.6% in girls and women playing in club competitions (15-a-side and Sevens). Victoria recorded an increase of 12.1% in junior club participation. Western Australia now has 12,916 players participating in club competitions, reflecting a 4.25% increase in 2013 compared to 2012. Rugby Sevens will be featured at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow for men, and will be included at the 2016 Olympic Games for the first time in Rio de Janeiro for men and women. Australian Rugby Union General Manager Rugby Sevens, Anthony Eddy, said focusing on programs to attract more women to play Rugby Sevens and the lure of the Olympic Games is having a positive impact on participation numbers. “In the past year, we’ve conducted the National Schoolgirls Championship and a National Talent Identification Program which has attracted new players to Rugby Sevens. “The increased interest and grassroots participation is being reflected on the international stage with Australia’s Women’s Sevens team winning the first tournament of the 2013-14 IRB Women’s Sevens World Series in Dubai last November. “This development activity is having a real impact. Five of the current national Women’s Sevens team were competing in the National Schoolgirls Championships just over a year ago, while a squad of young women will travel to the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China in August. With a host of other initiatives either well underway or in the pipeline, it’s clear the future of the involvement of girls and women in Rugby looks bright.”'
Matthew Skellett
Roar Rookie
Talking about the Las Vegas International Rugby Sevens tournament I ' m just scatching my head watching Australia go round .Mr O'Connor has been coach of the national sevens team for at least 5years -in that time Australia has won at the most 2 IRB sevens tournaments -in this Vegas tournament they have the highest amount of missed tackles against them.of any team -the bumbling fumbling way they have played against NZ and in the plate final against England makes me think that either Mr O'Connor is high up the masonic ladder , or he has his own "people" looking after him or he's the luckiest guy on earth-you get to choose which one it is -ever which way until the ARU get rid of him there wont be any improvement in the report card Australia hands in
Katipo
Guest
If NRC half time breaks are ten or 12 minutes long sevens could be played during the break. Each team could carry a sevens squad around with them... that would be a good start. The Nines in Auckland shows the public desire for weekend rugby tournaments. Great fun. The public would go for a national sevens series played in cities around Australia. ARU probably can't do it though. They are struggling. Its an opportunity for an entrepreneur.
Rugby stu
Roar Pro
Kenya has beaten New Zealand (one of my favourite games), Spain and Portugal (not sure about Kenya) have beaten England, I'm pretty sure all three have beaten Australia. It's not impossible to think given the nature of the game that they could rattle NZ cage on day. I think you get the point I'm making.
Thunderguts
Guest
Jonty, any team is beatable -- that's the beauty of 7,s Rugby and why it is the fastest growing code.
jonty
Guest
On there day Spain & Portugal can beat NZ u serious? U have rocks in your head have u ever watched 7s? They can beat Australia because there bloody hopeless but they wouldn't beat NZ,SA maybe Fiji but I doubt that
Thunderguts
Guest
Andy, sevens is certainly not 15 Rugby and has never claimed to be. Of all football codes 7,s is the fastest growing game throughout the world. You only need to look at the current IRB competition to see the support the game has. People that bury their head in the sand regarding 7,s will wake up in the near future to find that sponsorship money is headed to 7,s because it is a game people want to see and enjoy, players will seek the game out because of the dollars available, and the overall management of the game has moved away from the 15,s hierarchy. To be a 7,s player today requires stamina, explosiveness, agility and endurance and that is why today's 7,s players are not the same type of players of the 15,s game. This weekend in Las Vegas we will see some outstanding 7,s rugby.
Andy
Guest
Sevens is not rugby. Funny for someone who whinges about Big Bash you want the ARU to spend (waste?) their meagre resources on Sevens footy Johnno. I loved playing sevens in my younger days but definitely no longer have the legs. It is all about speed with a great deal of the intricacies that I love about rugby removed. It's a fun game, but it is not now, nor will it ever be, in the same league as the XV game.
Malcolm Dreaneen
Roar Pro
Rugger, the 18 year old star waiting to be discovered has been snapped up by rugby league, as have dozens of his ilk.